An investigation is under way amid claims about 70 memorial benches were burned by Edinburgh council workers (Image: Edinburgh Evening News)

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Edinburgh City Council has launched an investigation into reports staff had burned memorial benches.

Photographs published by the Edinburgh Evening News on Saturday appear to show wooden benches - which had been removed from West Princes Street Gardens more than a year ago - being burned by council staff .

The burning took place at the authority's depot in the Inch area of the city , involving around 70 wooden benches which were damaged.

The benches should have been recycled where possible in line with council policy.

A council spokeswoman said in a statement it was "regrettable" that standard protocol was not followed.